Cribbage: Fun For All

Cribbage is a very interesting game, but like the game of Bridge, is generally unheard of and is not played by the younger generations. But with the onset of the internet cribbage is making a slight comeback and is more popular now than ever.

The game is relatively easy, once you learn how to count the points it becomes like water, smooth and flowing. I have played many card games and I find cribbage to be one of those games that is hard to find players, but once you do, the games are endless.

Object

The object of the game is to race to the end by accumulating 121 points the quickest. This is done by earning points in the play of the game or by counting them in your hand after playing the hand.

Points

Points are scored by pairs, three of a kind, four of a kind, straights, flushes, runs, double runs, triple runs, quadruple runs, and cards that add up to 15. During the play of the game, you also receive points for playing the last card, as well as for receiving the Go.

How To Play

The dealer starts by dealing 6 cards to himself and his opponent, know as the Pone. The players choose two of the cards that will help themselves the least and discard them into the Crib. The Crib always belongs to the dealer. So if you are dealing, it is sometimes good to throw good cards into the Crib for yourself.

The Pone cuts the deck and the dealer takes the top card of the cut deck and turns it face up on top of the replaced deck. This card is called the starter card and is good only for counting hands after the play of the game.

The play of the game is played until 31, and if players still have extra cards after reaching 31, the game is reset to 0 and played again until 31 and so on until all 4 cards held by each player is played.

The Pone begins and the dealer follows. Points are the same in the game including pairs, and runs, which do not need to be in specific order, as well as three of a kind and 15s but only if it is directly 15 in the count of the game. This continues until each player plays all of his or her cards.

Counting the Hands

Now the Pone begins by counting his hand. This is the same except that the starter card on top of the deck is used in counting your hand as well. These points are pegged and the dealer follows and counts both his hand and his Crib.

Play continues with the Pone now becoming the dealer and the dealer the Pone. This will continue for as long as it takes before one player reaches 121 points thereby beating the other player.